[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 15, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7454-S7455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 323--RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WELFARE 
  PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS AND THE 
  SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF THE WELFARE PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES AND 
             THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Reid of Nevada, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Heller, 
Mr. Lee, and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 323

       Whereas in 1936, while the United States was mired in the 
     Great Depression, Heber J. Grant, President of The Church of 
     Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (referred to in this 
     Resolution as ``the LDS Church''), announced the creation of 
     what came to be known as the Welfare Program;
       Whereas President Grant explained, ``Our primary purpose 
     was to set up . . . a system under which the curse of 
     idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole 
     abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self 
     respect be once more established amongst our people . . . The 
     aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. 
     Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the 
     lives of our Church membership.'';
       Whereas, the LDS Church's Welfare Program, which is based 
     on the principles of self-reliance and industry, has expanded 
     throughout the world and assists people of all faiths by 
     caring for the needy while simultaneously teaching principles 
     to help them become self-reliant and retain their self 
     respect;
       Whereas funding for the LDS Church's Welfare Program is 
     provided by the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of 
     Latter-day Saints, who routinely fast for 2 consecutive

[[Page S7455]]

     meals every month and make donations to the LDS Church's 
     Welfare Program that is at least equal to the money they 
     would have spent on food;
       Whereas the LDS Church's Welfare Program provides 
     opportunities for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of 
     Latter-day Saints to help the less fortunate by working at 
     dozens of farms and canneries located throughout the United 
     States and Canada that produce food for needy people;
       Whereas needy people in the community are identified by the 
     leader of each local church congregation, in consultation 
     with other local leaders, including the Relief Society 
     President (a woman from the congregation who serves as the 
     local leader of the LDS Church's women's organization);
       Whereas people in need are provided free food and household 
     items at facilities called Bishop's Storehouses after 
     receiving a written requisition from the leader of their 
     local congregation;
       Whereas the 129 Bishop's Storehouses, which are located 
     throughout the world, provide needed commodities from the 
     consecrated sacrifices of members of The Church of Jesus 
     Christ of Latter-day Saints;
       Whereas recipients of these commodities are given service 
     opportunities, to the extent of their ability, which allow 
     them to demonstrate their gratitude for what they have 
     received;
       Whereas employment resource service centers, which are also 
     part of the LDS Church's Welfare Program, provide a place 
     where people can receive job training, learn to enhance their 
     resumes, and find job opportunities;
       Whereas there are nearly 300 employment resource service 
     centers throughout the world, at which volunteers help 
     hundreds of thousands of people to find jobs every year, a 
     large percentage of whom are not members of The Church of 
     Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
       Whereas the LDS Church's Welfare Program also includes 
     Deseret Industries, which serves as an employment training 
     facility and operates thrift stores;
       Whereas these thrift stores provide on-the-job experience 
     for refugees or others who need help qualifying for long-term 
     employment and are stocked by individual donations, which are 
     offered to the public at inexpensive prices;
       Whereas the LDS Church's Welfare Program also includes LDS 
     Family Services, a private, nonprofit organization that 
     provides counseling, adoption services, addiction recovery 
     support groups, and resources for social, emotional, and 
     spiritual challenges;
       Whereas the influence and power for good exerted by the 
     Welfare Program of the LDS Church has greatly expanded over 
     its 75-year history; and
       Whereas the positive impact of the LDS Church's Welfare 
     Program in the United States has assisted untold numbers of 
     United States citizens:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 75th Anniversary of the Welfare Program 
     of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;
       (2) congratulates the members of The Church of Jesus Christ 
     of Latter-day Saints for the significant contribution that 
     its Welfare Program has had on United States citizens and 
     many people throughout the world; and
       (3) commends the many efforts made by The Church of Jesus 
     Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members, through its 
     Welfare Program, to serve others regardless of religious 
     affiliation.

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